If you are setting up a new office, or moving into a new office space, there are essential equipment and supplies that you will need. Here are our top 10 essentials that are a must-have for every office!

1. Office Chairs

The type of office chairs that you opt for will depend on your budget and the space available. One major consideration is ergonomics. A chair which does not provide sufficient back or neck support can cause employees back pain or muscle aches long-term. This TEKNIK Nova Mesh Tilting Executive Chair is a good option, with adjustable height, tilt and back recline so that you can find a comfortable position. The seat is cushioned for comfort and the backrest features breathable mesh, which provides support and keeps you cool. Another option to consider is this ALPHASON Portland Executive Chair. It features a mesh cover and has fully adjustable height, tilt, arm rests and headrest. This chair also provides lumbar support with positive curvature to mould your spine, promoting healthy posture.

2. Desks

Another essential for every office are of course, desks. To determine the type and number of desks you require you will need to consider the configuration of your office and the number of workers you have.

Storage Desks

If you are looking for desks that are relatively compact with built-in storage, this ALPHASON Maryland Desk is worth considering. It features three drawers, one cupboard and two storage compartments to store paperwork and stationary. Or you can consider the slightly larger ALPHASON Dallas AW12289 Work Centre. This desk has plentiful storage with a central lockable drawer, three stationary drawers, a storage cupboard and two other storage compartments.

Corner Desks

If you need L-shaped desks to fit in corners then this TEKNIK L-shaped Office Desk is a good option. It provides a spacious workspace and features a built-in drawer and under-desk bookshelf for storage. It also offers discreet cable management to keep the office looking tidy. Another option for a corner desk is the TEKNIK Market L-shaped Desk. This desk features two built-in drawers and an under-desk bookshelf.

Compact Desks

If you’re office has little space, you will likely want to opt for compact desks to save space. This ALPHASON Marymount AW22813-WH Desk, as it is compact but still has four drawers for sufficient storage. It also features an additional storage compartment and a sliding keyboard shelf. Alternatively, this Liten Matt White & Oak Effect Painted 3 Drawer Desk is also a good compact option featuring three storage drawers.

3. Computers

Computers are essential to any office. You will want to think carefully about the type of work that your employees will be carrying out, as this will help to determine what type of computers and what specifications will be most suitable. In an office environment, most people tend to work from desktop computers.

Desktops

If you’re looking for a desktop with an Apple operating system, the APPLE iMac 5K 27″ (2020) – Intel® Core™ i5 is ideal. This all-in-one PC is a great option with a vibrant 5K Retina display and a powerful i5 processor, so you can tackle projects both big and small. It also has a very generous storage capacity of 512GB so you are unlikely to run out for a long time. If you’re looking for a Windows desktop, this LENOVO IdeaCentre AIO 3i 27″ All-in-One PC – Intel®Core i3 is one to consider. This all-in-one PC has a full HD screen and takes up little desk space. It offers 256GB of storage and a dual-core processor which makes multi-tasking fast and simple.

Laptops

Laptops are becoming a more common choice for office workers, especially those who work hybrid and want to take their work on the go. If you prefer an Apple operating system, the APPLE MacBook Pro 13.3″ is a good choice. The MacBook Pro range is on the more expensive end, but they offer great performance and impressive battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge. They feature a Retina display and has eight-cores of power, making it 2.8 times faster than the previous generation. If you want a Windows operating system, this DELL Inspiron 15 3511 15.6″ Laptop is worth considering. It features a full HD screen and a generous 256GB of storage, and it is easy to carry around weighing just 1.73kg.

4. Multi-Function Printer

For an office, it is likely that you will want to opt for an all-in-one printer which also functions as a copier and a scanner. The two main types of printers that you can choose from are laser printers and inkjet printers. Laser printers are best-suited to high volume office printing, with great durability and speed. They are the ideal choice for organisations with a medium-large workforce as they can cope with heavy workloads and tend to offer better print quality. However inkjet printers have also improved significantly over the years. They were originally only used as home printers, however their performance is now not far behind that of laser printers. They still don’t offer the same level of quality and speed, but if you have a small team and are looking to keep costs down they are worth considering.

Laser Printer

If you opt for a laser printer model, this Kyocera ECOSYS M2640idw A4 Mono Multifunction Laser Printer is a good option. It is designed to deal with large teams, providing reliability and speed with a 40ppm output. It offers print, scan, copy and fax functions, with a high quality printing resolution of 1200 x 1200. The two optional paper feeders hold up to 850 sheets. Note that this is a mono printer, if you want to print colour consider this HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn A4 Colour Multifunction Laser Printer. This printer is ideal for a small to medium workforce that will be printing up to 4,000 pages per month. It offers copy, scan and fax functions and a print speed of 27 ppm for both colour and black and white documents.

Inkjet Printer

If you are looking for an inkjet model, this Epson EcoTank ET-4800 A4 Colour Multifunction Inkjet Printer is worth considering. It is ideal for small offices with print, fax, scan and copy capabilities. It has a first page printer speed of up to 10 seconds, and features Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology. This reduces energy consumption and means there is less need for replacement parts. This Canon MAXIFY GX7050 A4 Colour Multifunction Inkjet Printer (Wireless) is also a good option. It has a first page print speed of up to 7 seconds, and built-in connectivity with mobile print features including Airprint and Mopria.

5. Paper Shredder

If you are dealing with confidential documents in your business, a shredder is essential. This REXEL Mercury RDX1850 Cross Cut Paper Shredder is a good option. It features jam-free technology and is capable of shredding up to 18 sheets at a time. The large 50 litre bin capacity holds up to 450 shredded sheets of paper, and due to its power it can also cut through staples and paper clips. Another good option is the LEITZ IQ Office P4 Cross Cut Paper Shredder. This shredder can shred up to 15 sheets at once and can work for 2 hours without stopping. It features anti-jam technology and a 23 litre bin that can hold around 225 sheets of shredded paper.

6. Office Phone

A phone is one of the important office essentials that no business should be without. How many office phones you need will depend on the layout of your office and the size of your workforce. You should have at least one office phone so that clients and customers can contact your business. This BT Paragon 650 Corded Phone with Answering Machine is one to consider. The phone features a 200 name directory and caller ID with a 50-call memory log. The answer machine has up to 32 minutes of recording time, and the phone also allows text messaging with a flashing light indicator.

7. Office Stationery

There are essential pieces of stationery that every office should have. This includes items like pens, paper, post-its, notebooks, folders, binders and more. These should be regularly restocked to make sure that your office doesn’t run out. Below we have linked some office stationery essentials, or you can browse all of our office supplies here.

8. Whiteboard

A whiteboard is a great addition to any office, perfect for brainstorming and sharing ideas. This ValueX Magnetic Whiteboard 120cm x 90cm is a good option. It features an aluminium frame and an easy to clean surface. It is also magnetic and dry erasable, ideal for writing notes and reminders.

9. Coffee Machine

A staple of any office is the coffee machine. The type of coffee machine you choose will again depend on your budget and the size of your workforce. This NESPRESSO by De’Longhi Lattissima Touch EN560.S Coffee Machine is a good choice for small teams. It is very user friendly with over 30 types of coffee pods available to suit every taste. The sliding drip tray adjusts to different mug sizes and the thermoblock heating system heats up water quickly. If you want something more premium, you can consider this DELONGHI Dinamica ECAM 350.35.W Bean to Cup Coffee Machine. This coffee machine has simple touch controls for ease of use, and an integrated grinder and milk frother. It also features automatic rinse and descale programmes, which helps to keep the machine in top condition.

10. Health and Safety

When setting up a new office you also need to consider the health and safety of your employees as first priority.

First Aid Kit

Every workplace should have a first aid kit, as well as a fire extinguisher in case of emergencies. You should also make sure that your office has all of the necessary safety signage to keep everyone safe.

Fire Extinguishers

In your office you should have access to a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher for dealing with fires caused by electrical equipment, as well as a foam or water extinguisher for general fire risks.

Safety Signs

We hope that you have found all of the office essentials that you need to set up a new premises! You can browse high-quality office essentials and supplies on our website here. And make sure that you are following us on our social media channels where we discuss industry-related products, news, events and more! You can find us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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